Alcantara Launch Center

Alcantara is Brazil's launch center, located in a jungle setting on the
Atlantic coast near Sao Luis, in the northeastern state of Maranhaoat, at
coordinates 2° 17' S, 44° 23' W. Being close to the equator it can
launch satellites into orbits with inclinations of 2° to 100°. The
site became operational on August 19, 1994. Pads are set up for the Sonda
3/4 sounding rockets, meteorological rockets, and other science launchers,
and for Brazil's indigenous VLS booster.

On August 23, 2003 a VLS exploded days before its scheduled launch, killing
21 people and injuring more than a dozen others. The explosion destroyed
the VLS-1 V-03 rocket designed to carry two satellites into orbit. One of
the four main boosters on the rocket ignited, causing a massive explosion
that sent a thick plume of smoke in the air over the Alcantara Launch Center.